Biotop

This swampy territory used to be part of a Littorena Sea lagoon, and it is a place where many rare and protected birds such as woodpeckers live and nest. Territory is hard to reach although some of the territory can be surveyed from the Tukums-Kolka road. Wet meadows is called "lankas" in Kurzeme region.

This is an uncommon landscape for the Kurzeme region with a protected biotope – open inland dunes with meadows of silver grass and forests of deciduous trees, including the common hornbeam. Tourists can visit the Muiža (Lejas) sacred stream on the right bank of the Sventāja valley, above which they will find Latvia’s most noble bird-cherry trees. A nice reed pergola has been installed above the stream. Wide are of Sventāja River valley can be overseen from the road before the stream.

The excessively damp forests at this place include the Vēršupīte River bog, and this is one of the most diverse biotopes in Latvia in terms of the number of species that can be found here.  The fact that the area is regularly flooded is shown by the fat roots of black alders – indeed, the place looks like a stand of mangroves.  The wooden pathway that is the Dumbrāju trail starts at the Forest House for those who wish to examine the bog.  The most impressive views are seen during spring floods or rainy seasons at other times of the year.  The little river breaks out of its bed and floods a large territory.  The Lake Sloka hiking trail is another place where you can study the Vēršupīte bog.  The circular trail is 3 km long, and its beginning is at the Lake Sloka bird watching tower.

This is a mostly forested territory which is home to one of the largest areas of the white mistletoe, which is a semi-parasitic plant. It is best to observe this unique plant when it has no leaves. Latvia is the northern limit to the white mistletoe, which is why it is not all that common. It is interesting that even more of this rare specie can be seen outside of the nature restricted area.

This park is in an area which has not been affected much by humankind – sandstone cliffs, an undisturbed diversity of caves, other habitats, species and landscapes is the attractive aspect of this area. The Salaca River is one of the most important rivers in the Baltic Sea region for the spawning of salmon, and it is the second most popular river for water tourists in the Latvian region of Vidzeme. There are geological monuments which are very attractive to visitors – the Red cliffs, Skaņais Hill, the Neļķu cliff, the Velna (Devil’s) cave, etc. There are also cultural monuments such as the Livonian castle hill, the Vecsalaca baronial estate, the Livonian Museum, the Vantenberģi estate, the unique Salaca lamprey weirs, etc. Also in the park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern Vidzeme – the Skaņākalna park, which has a dense network of footpaths. The Salaca is also popular among fishermen. This is part of the Northern Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve.